Patent Application
20060204621
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the disposal of cooking liquids and more specifically to a hot cooking liquids absorbing container, which includes absorbing particles that will not ignite when hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases are poured into a container.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
There are numerous devices for disposing of hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases used during cooking. U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,725 to Zafiroglu discloses an article for absorbing cooking grease. The Zafiroglu patent includes a disposable article, suitable for absorbing and immobilizing grease generated during cooking and having a housing containing an absorbent bed of particles and polyolefin fibers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,906 to Hemphill discloses a cooking grease disposal bag. The Hemphill patent includes a cooking grease disposal bag formed with a multiple construction and has an inner layer of a heavy gage deformable aluminum foil, and intermediate layer formed by a puncture resistant polyethylene sheet and an outer layer formed by an insulating paper material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,341 to Shirota discloses a container with absorbent interior. The Shirota patent includes a container for storage and disposal of liquids, such as liquid fats, oils and suspended greases, comprising a receptacle with interior walls impervious and resistant to such liquids and, contained within the receptacle, material capable of absorbing such liquids.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a hot cooking liquids absorbing container, which includes a container that will not leak and absorbing particles that will not ignite when hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases are poured into the container.
The present invention provides a hot cooking liquids absorbing container, which includes absorbing particles that will not ignite when hot cooking liquids are poured into the container. The hot cooking liquids absorbing container includes a resealable container and a plurality of absorbing particles. The resealable container is preferably similar in construction to a milk carton, but other types and shapes of containers may also be used. An inside surface of the resealable container must be coated to prevent hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases from leaking through or igniting the resealable container. The plurality of absorbing particles are preferably fabricated from ground clay, but other absorbent organic or inorganic materials may also be used. The ground clay must be treated to prevent ignition, from hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases. The resealable container is prefilled with the plurality of absorbing particles. A top of the resealable container is opened. Hot or cold liquid fats, oils or suspended greases are poured into the resealable container. The absorbing particles absorb the liquid fats, oils or suspended greases. The top of the resealable container is sealed. The hot cooking liquids absorbing container is then discarded.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hot cooking liquids absorbing container, which includes a container that will not leak or ignite, when liquid fats, oils or suspended greases are poured therein.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a hot cooking liquids absorbing container with absorbing particles that will not ignite when liquid fats, oils or suspended greases are poured into the container.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to
The plurality of absorbing particles 12 are preferably fabricated from ground clay, but other absorbent organic or inorganic materials may also be used, such as absorbent minerals. The absorbent minerals include attaplugite, bentonite, diatamaceous earth, vermiculite, perlite, pumice, montmorollinite and any other absorbent mineral. The ground clay must be treated to prevent ignition, from hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases. The ground clay is preferably heat treated to prevent ignition. The heat treatment of the ground clay includes removing the water of hydration. The resealable container 10 is prefilled with the plurality of absorbing particles 12 and the resealable top 18 is then sealed.
The hot cooking liquids absorbing container 1 is preferably utilized in the following manner. The resealable top 18 is opened. Hot or cold liquid fats, oils or suspended greases 102 from a pan 100 or the like is poured into the resealable container 10, through the open resealable top 18. The absorbing particles 12 absorb the hot liquid fats, oils or suspended greases. The resealable top 18 is sealed and the hot cooking liquids absorbing container 1 is then discarded. However, the plurality of absorbing particles 12 may be recycled, after they have been saturated with liquid fats, oils or suspended greases by igniting thereof with a flame in grills, fire places or any other suitable application. The plurality of absorbing particles will burn and leave ash behind.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
